There were positive signs for the Magpies in defeat by champions Manchester City last weekend, although Harry Redknapp's men will run out having finally ended their wait for a first victory of the campaign with a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Pardew does not like the term "must-win" - his view is that every game is "must-win" - but he admits that only three points will allow him to enjoy his Christmas lunch on Tuesday.

He said: "No, no, for sure, no - and I wouldn't enjoy it if we got a draw either.

"But a win would ease my burden, because it is a burden. I don't want to be Newcastle manager and lose, I don't like it.

"The fans are hurting, but no more so than me and the players."

QPR hauled themselves from the foot of the table as a result of their victory over Fulham, who had beaten the Magpies five days previously, and Pardew knows they, and in particular talisman Adel Taarabt, will be in no mood to surrender a four-game unbeaten run under their new manager.

He said: "For sure, he (Taarabt) was absolutely brilliant in the last game. As good as Berbatov was against us, he was against Fulham, and we will have to make sure we keep him quiet.

"If we keep him quiet, then I think we can win the game, but he will be an influence on the game.

"They have got some momentum, and that's very important in the Premier League. It's something we have been searching for.

"But they are still coming to Newcastle and we are in decent form in terms of some of our play. We just need to have a little bit more resilience to stop conceding goals and I think we will get results."